The contribution sf two ears to the perception of vertical angle in sagittal planes

Because the input signals to the left and right ears are not identical, it is important to clarify the role of these signals in the perception of the vertical angle of a sound source at any position in the upper hemisphere. T o obtain basic findings on upper hemisphere localization, this paper invest igates the contribution of each pinna to the perception of vertical angle. Tests measured localization of the vertical angle in five planes parallel t o the median plane. In the localization tests, the pinna cavities of one or both ears were occluded. Results showed that pinna cavities of both the ne ar and far ears play a role in determining the perceived vertical angle of a sound source in any plane, including the median plane. As a sound source shifts laterally away from the median plane, the contribution of the near e ar increases and, conversely, that of the far ear decreases. For saggital p lanes at azimuths greater than 60 degrees from midline, the far ear no long er contributes measurably to the determination of vertical angle, (C) 2001 Acoustical Society of America.